"Never before has a race bike been so light, powerful and at the same time so confident downhill." With these words, BIKE tried to make the Arc8 Evolve FS palatable to me as a long-term test bike almost a year ago. As a hobby racer, I was the perfect candidate to test whether the test-winning bike would also deliver what it promises in the long term - namely best times, both uphill and downhill. I went for it. Over the next eight months, I fed the Arc8 with around 3000 kilometres and 70,000 metres of altitude. I covered the majority of the distance during training on my home trails around Würzburg. To occasionally lure the candidate out of its reserve, I also took the Evolve FS on rough trails in the Alps during the training camp. The Arc8 was able to demonstrate its racing expertise at the Riva Bike Marathon, among other events.
The facts about the Arc8 Evolve FS
- Frame material: Carbon
- Price / weight: 8999 Euro / 9.8 Kilo
- Size / Reach: Medium / 465 mm
- Spring travel: front / rear: 120 mm / 110 mm
- Impellers: Newmen Advanced SL X.A.30
- Fork / damper: Fox 34 Float Factory SC Remote / Fox Float DPS Factory
- Drive: Shimano XTR
- Mileage: 3073 kilometres / 72,312 vertical metres
I hate to say this about myself, but as a racer I'm really fussy when it comes to bike set-up. Although the Arc8 offers a great basis, some fine-tuning was necessary to adapt it perfectly to my needs. First order of business: shorten the handlebars. 800 millimetres is crazy wide for a race bike. My sweet spot is 750 millimetres. In addition, the pre-assembled saddle gave way to a Hypersaddle from Bike Ahead. It not only reduces the weight a little, but also offers me more comfort on long rides. Add to that a Rotor Powermeter crank for precise performance data and the obligatory two bottle cages, and the carbon bullet was ready for the race track.
After the first marathon use, both volume spacers flew out of the fork. Why? The front was too progressive for me. My shoulders suffered the most on the long distance. With the larger air chamber, however, the fork works very sensitively and I utilised the full travel from then on. The only major criticism: the cockpit looks like Hempels under the sofa. The lengths of all cables and lines are not well adapted to the frame size. With two brake lines and three cables (dropper post, lockout, derailleur), the result is a huge tangle of cables - I would have liked a cleaner solution for a bike costing € 8999.
Little maintenance, hardly any wear
In terms of durability, I was particularly focussed on the unusual rear triangle design. The minimalist shock linkage with the two guide cylinders saves weight, increases stiffness and at the same time simulates an infinitely long bellcrank. In purely functional terms, this only brings advantages. However, I was sceptical about the durability. To simulate the worst case scenario, the bike was only subjected to the most necessary maintenance and the steam jet.
But even after the eighth month, the Arc8 has only a weary smile for my careless behaviour. Creaking or other annoying noises? Not a thing! The inspection in the BIKE lab also speaks in favour of the Arc8: All bearings run smoothly and without play, the guide cylinders look like new and the wiper rings are still intact. However, if you want to ride the Arc8 for longer than one season, you should occasionally take a look behind the wiper rings. Dust and fine dirt had accumulated here on my test bike. Apart from that, the bike only shows the usual signs of wear: the brake discs are due for replacement, the foam grips are worn and the pads need replacing.
Conclusion from Max Fehr, BIKE long-term tester
Even after eight months of continuous use, the Arc8 Evolve FS still inspires me as it did on the first day. In my eyes, the Swiss have created the perfect race bike: fast on the racetrack, fun in everyday use and, above all, durable. Bravo!
Max Fuchs
Editor
